The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned traders and consumers against cleaning and reselling food and beverages damaged by floodwater, saying the practice poses serious health risks.
In a public notice dated August 13, 2026, the FDA said it had received complaints of flood-damaged products being washed, cleaned and repackaged for sale to unsuspecting consumers.
The Authority said it seized approximately one truckload of bottled water and soft drinks found at a residence in Bubiashe, with mud covering the packs and bottles.
“All the products found at the residence were seized by the FDA for safe disposal.”
The FDA cautioned that washing the exterior of flood-damaged products does not make them safe for consumption because floodwater can compromise their packaging.
“Washing the outside of a bottle or a shrink-wrapped pack does not render the contents safe, as caps, seals and packaging are easily compromised when products are submerged in floodwater.”
It warned that consuming such products could expose people to serious water-borne diseases.
“Consuming such products poses a real risk of cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other water-borne diseases.”
The FDA advised consumers to avoid products with mud stains, watermarks, or stained, peeling or discoloured labels and urged the public to report the sale of suspected flood-damaged food products to the nearest FDA office or police station.
